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EUGENIUS 

THE STAR-CHILD 


BY 


A 


LUDWIG NICOLOVIUS 

AUTHOR OF “UNIQUE TALES,” ETC. 



THE GRAFTON PRESS 


NEW YORK 


MCMVIII 










k 1 




LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

DEC 24 1908 



Copyright, 1908, by 
Ludwig Nicolovius 


SDeat frienU of mp poutlj: 

Joyfully I send you these home-memories with the 
wish that you, so near my Catholic native town, 
may in some little measure partake in the saintly 
charm which presents itself to me in the distance. 
In weal and woe 

Yours ever, 

Ludwig Nicolovius. 


Summer , 1908, 



CONTENTS 


FAGE 

Elea .... 1 

Alvestria 5 

St. IIorticus 7 

An Advent 9 

W ANDERINGS 11 

Friends 17 

The Vocation 20 

Fulfilments 24 

Pilgrimages 27 

Providence 35 

Manifestation 40 

Reflections 


44 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


ELEA 

H OWEVER deeply ocean or summit may impress 
man, when he lifts his eyes to the star-be- 
decked firmament he is lost in the glory of these im- 
mensities. How little of that vastness has been 
probed by science! Quite recently one whose life- 
study had been astronomy asked humbly, “What is 
a star?” What is a star, indeed, but an expression 
of the infinite — a purpose of God ! 

In a half-forgotten volume, appropriately named 
“Astronomy by Supposition or Deduction,” the the- 
ory is advanced that the asteroids are a group of 
many stars, some visible, and many more, probably, 
invisible. To me these little, unseen stars are no 
mere probability — my knowledge reaches far beyond 
them to the star Cactea; for I, who am nothing save 
for one spark, the gift divine of vision, can outreach 
the powerful telescope, and I pour forth an irre- 
sistible song of praise, even as the birds in spring. 

1 r 


2 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


Asteroids ! ye of divinely fitted courses, 

Whose every one to a Great Consummation 
leads ; 

Addressing you, my soul as if with God dis- 
courses, 

So inspiring your array, O asteroids ! 

So bright each one! The emerald with hope 
o’erflowing ; 

The next with Heaven’s azure quite replete ; 

And then, by yellow, carmine, azure showing 

Love’s endless Life, O sparkling asteroid! 

I gaze: I wonder! Still more graced, become 
enlightened : 

For no higher Above need strive my blessed 
thought, 

Since your orbit, God’s: and your abode is 
brightened, 

Lo ! by yourselves, who are the Eye, the Love 
of God. 

In sublimity second only to the ascension of a de- 
parted soul, is this my vision’s flight toward the realm 
of stars. The farther I soar from earth the more 
spiritual grow my aspirations. Now, so near the 
asteroids and many planets hitherto unknown, I won- 
der that I can look upon them and still live. Is it 
because, though heavenly, even this glory is not 
Heaven ? 

Consider the majestic motions of celestial bodies. 
Suns were these were they not so mildly lustrous; 


ELEA 


3 


moons, was their radiance not so dazzling ! Tranquil 
always, whatever their movement be, they seem the 
perfection of merited peace. 

My vision speeds through ether toward Jupiter, 
equally sublime, but far from reposeful, expressive 
as he is of struggle and development. Past myriads 
of star-worlds of less or greater brilliancy, I at 
length approach the darksome, lonely star, Cactea, 
sometime mentioned by the ancients, but as a myth. 
Wrongly are the asteroids reputed to be parts of 
some great planet, resolved into fiery fragments. I 
had attributed a like ancestry to Cactea, but by de- 
scent upon the wee star proved it a separate crea- 
tion. Its peculiar coloring, a blending of olive-green, 
yellow, red and auburn, was caused by the many cac- 
tus-species growing upon low, amber-hued rocks, 
themselves globular or flattened like the cacti. One 
fleshy cactus family of heroic size, Melopuntia, a 
combination of two genera — Opuntia bodies with 
Melocactus heads — is further remarkable for its 
power of motion. The movements of these Melo- 
puntians are clumsy, and their intellects feeble, if 
not wanting altogether. Nevertheless, their endow- 
ments manifest a mysterious purpose of the Most 
High; for a purpose is the attribute of each crea- 
tion, however undeveloped. 

Itself of dim aspect, Cactea offers unrivaled views 
of fixed stars and planets. Jupiter, among others, 
is visible, fortunately remote, or annihilation would 
ensue for Cactea; for when, as if rebelling against 
constrained revolution, Jupiter presents his angry 
hemisphere, his cyclones belch their forces far into 


4 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


space. His other side is equally chaotic, yet how dif- 
ferent, with its multi-colored, brilliant cliffs, each 
one of the thousands like a gigantic pointed weapon. 
Woe to the star coming in contact with that face of 
Jupiter ! 

These spectacles neither elevate nor stir the Melo- 
puntians. Grouped together, they sit on the shore 
of space with their glances bent downward, or wan- 
der aimlessly on the cactus-shaped, cactus-o’ergrown 
rocks; or, when some of Jupiter’s half-spent blasts 
sweep over the star, its people shelter themselves in 
caves, there to brood upon the gulf of nothingness. 

But not so with Elea Cactos. Unmoved by storm, 
her eager eye searched for something in a vain Some- 
where. From Cactea, the star so small that its revo- 
lutions were perceptible, new objects spun constantly 
into view ; not, however, the one expected. Then she 
would sadly join her sisters, who had neither under- 
standing nor sympathy. 

Thus day after day found her seated, elbow on 
knee, the hand supporting her chin, waiting, waiting, 
until one morning her eyes were gladdened — the ob- 
ject of her yearning suddenly appeared. At once 
all the clumsiness of a cactus left her. She stood 
erect. Exultantly Elea lifted her arms; she beck- 
oned to her passive sisters; the other hand pointed 
to a far-distant, slightly luminous speck — our earth. 

Thither, then, my vision speeds me, fast as a fall- 
ing star its flight. Hurriedly I leave the asteroids 
behind me; their size diminishes by distance to the 
compass of jewels. Since my sojourn among them, 
in what radiance, in what piety dwells my soul ! 


ALVE STRIA 


5 


ALVE STRIA 

N OW appears another orb, Alvestria, bathed in 
silvery light surpassing that of stars revealed 
to common ken, and, in contrast with Cactea, radi- 
antly fair. Billions of miles may intervene; but Al- 
vestria is Heaven’s vestibule, where saints commune. 

After Paul had been elevated into Heaven he knelt 
before God and said: 

“Almighty! All this beatitude is bliss which to 
disturb were sacrilege; nor should I breathe a word 
of supplication did not the spirit which moved my 
offices on earth desire me to exert a guardian influ- 
ence over mortals from this exalted station.” 

And as the prayer of saints is supplication ful- 
filled, God made answer : 

“In Heaven such labor were inconsistent with 
peace. Hence ye, my elect, repair to Alvestria, 
where archangels abide within my call; there benefit 
the career of man, or thence descend for earthly visi- 
tations; and return for rest, or on especial mission 
to this Heaven of Heavens.” 

Tasks self-imposed are light to bear; love-tasks 
of saints a joy to them; and as to Holy Mary and 
St. Peter, who reside in Heaven, their ministrations 
there are lightened by the God of Love. 

Though the flow of time be lost in eternity, even 
as Christ’s passion is there buried in oblivion, the 
day of the Nativity of Christ is celebrated as on 
earth, On such a holy-day the saints, robed in spir- 


6 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


itual light, congregated in the Alvestrian festival 
hall. St. Paul, St. John, Christ’s most beloved; St. 
Luke, and St. Matthew, the first of the divine chron- 
iclers, repaired through more and more refulgent 
ether toward Heaven. There God, Christ and Mary, 
the Holy Three, were addressed in prayerful adora- 
tion : 

“Let the Anniversary, ever a source of new-born 
benedictions, be this time signalized by an innova- 
tion. Lord God of all creation, without whose will 
naught perishes, naught thrives, oh, turn Thy eye 
upon the wee star Cactea, where — as Thou on earth 
createst genius — Thou hast bestowed upon Elea a 
something like a soul, with yearnings which reach 
the more congenial planet Earth. O let that germ 
spring into life on Earth, be a blessing there, and 
there suffer development without a sting. Let this 
emanation of Thee leave blessing in its wake, further- 
ing, if only by a step, the consummation of Thy 
august plan.” 

Whereto God answered : 

“Love on earth, destined to work out salvation, 
hath far enough advanced to admit the fulfilment of 
your prayer. The infinitesimal is to become a mighty 
stepping-stone ! So be it.” 

“So be it,” joined love-lit Christ and Mary. 

And beatitude spread over all the glow of love, 
suffusing as well the lily white and cerulean blue of 
morning-glories round about. While yet encom- 
passed by the hues of Heaven, SS. Matthew, Luke, 
Paul and John imparted to their Alvestrian brethren- 
saints the joyful tidings. 


ST. HORTICUS 


7 


ST. HORTICUS 

S UBLIME grace characterizes the motion of an- 
gels; blessed is he who may follow their flight. 
Blest be you, now led on by hallowed vision from the 
precincts of the stars downward to an abode on 
earth, to the humble nursery of a florist. 

His dwelling was situated just outside of a wall- 
girt town, the fortification of which, moss-grown and 
held together by creepers, bespoke the more peaceful 
spirit of these latter times. While the path along 
the wall was itself below the surface of the town, 
the gardener’s estate still descended therefrom to his 
simple gable-roofed house, on a level with which ex- 
tended a number of flower-beds, like the hillside 
grounds disposed with reference to sunshine and 
shelter rather than to beauty. To a greenhouse, 
such as the eye loves to dwell upon, was assigned an 
almost hidden place, while an unsightly pump and 
shed stood full in view. 

The florist was evidently no landscape gardener; 
his was, however, a nature and a face worthy of his 
reputed descent from St. Chrysostom. Some people 
averred that his occupation was unworthy — as if the 
cultivation of flowers were not a noble work. May 
it not have contributed to the spirituality for which 
many revered him? Some, indeed, looked upon him as 
a saint, and to them may be traced his appellation, 
“St. Horticus.” 

Often was he seen surrounded by children, who lis- 


8 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


tened to his inexhaustible fund of beautiful legends, 
interspersed with welcome admonitions ; or he would 
relate experiences of his own, as when, years ago, he 
and his bride Elizabeth had rambled between wheat- 
fields overspread with the sun's glow, and on that 
path had endeavored to overtake a flock of lambs. 
Ere long the young shepherd was seen with a black 
sheep which had strayed; rejoining the lambs, it ap- 
peared as snow-white as its fellows. The shepherd 
stroked each one with his hand or olive branch, all 
gazing at him as they went. Quite near, at a by-way 
within the golden fields, the flock and the radiant 
shepherd-boy had passed from view. “This incident,” 
concluded St. Horticus, “we named our honeymoon’s 
pastoral.” 

St. Horticus was past the prime of life, yet he 
showed no more traces of age than did his wife, whom 
he called St. Elizabeth. With them dwelt their two 
little daughters, Martha and Mary, old enough to 
aid in the culture of roses and violets. By virtue of 
their energy, skill and the fear of God, this family 
held its own and prospered. Sufficient unto them- 
selves, they kept affectionately together, yet were 
cognizant of any distress in the town and lent a help- 
ing hand in the fullest measure. 

They were happy, and yet they had one unsatisfied 
desire. The parents prayed daily: “Almighty God, 
Mary the Virgin and St. Martha were two women: 
Thou didst bestow upon us two daughters; Christ 
the Saviour was a boy: O vouchsafe to us a son!” 


AN ADVENT 


9 


AN ADVENT 

F AR away, Elea Cactos knelt motionless on the 
border of the lonely star Cactea, with her head 
and hands uplifted. Her longing soul had flown. 
Meanwhile great joy reigned under the humble gable- 
roof of the gardener. A child had there been born — 
the star-child Eugenius. Should one ask, “The soul 
of Eugenius, was it Elea’s soul?” remember, his par- 
ents had prayed to the Almighty. 

The bright newcomer spread a joyful spirit in the 
home. As he grew the beauty of his disposition be- 
came more apparent. Strong and serdne as were his 
features, the chief beauty of his countenance was a 
holy sweetness. “Eugenius has the temper of a 
Eugenia,” was often said by his parents, and the 
other children would affectionately call him sister. 

Still he thrived, and in him grew appreciation of 
the affection bestowed upon him, which he returned 
so fully. He took great happiness in the numberless 
elevating objects presented in human life. Had he 
also, perhaps, some unconscious recollection of some 
pre-existence where these blessings were wanting? 

Sustained by such affection, the family kept more 
than ever within the precinct of their garden-home, 
where the boy was carefully educated. Desirous of 
knowledge, Eugenius learned easily and well, and 
he was inducted, playfully as it were, into the lighter 
work of garden service. Soon it became a source of 
growing wonder that whatever he undertook pros- 


10 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


pered; and often, when observing his tender treat- 
ment of plants and people, St. Horticus would say 
to St. Elizabeth, or she to him: “We certainly have 
found the shepherd-boy.” The intricacies of horti- 
culture were soon mastered by the sinless child. Many 
a withering flower, pityingly handled, revived under 
his care, and the grateful recipient would compare 
the thoughtful beauty of Eugenius’ eyes to the love- 
liness of flowers. His mind was like a temple of joy 
and peace. 

Whether binding nosegays, or winding wreaths, or 
selecting the most appropriate flowers for potting, 
he celebrated in spirit the festival for which they 
were intended ; and when handing them at Easter or 
Christmas, to brides or birthday-children, he would 
add a few gentle words, thereby converting merchan- 
dise into a gift. 

With a deep sense of beauty there grew upon him 
a sense of order, whether gathered from the system 
of earthly things or of stars. This stood him in 
good stead in the arrangement of their garden, which 
by this time began to assume a different aspect. A 
more appropriate place was assigned to the play- 
ground ; the flower-beds were neatly encased ; grottos 
and a fountain were under consideration. More- 
over, the shed and greenhouse had changed places. 
The young gardener had not asserted his ideas ; ut- 
tered as chance suggestions, they met with loving 
reception. 

He would spend hours of relaxation in reading, or 
in out-of-door family games, or in walks. The lat- 
ter, oftener taken alone, are of interest inasmuch as 


WANDERINGS 11 

they formed a large part of the life of the star-child 
Eugenius. 


WANDERINGS 

H IS favorite path led along the already men- 
tioned antique wall, between vegetable and 
fruit gardens, to one of the entrances to the town, 
named the Star-Gate. Cherishing flowers so ten- 
derly, he would turn with equal interest to the va- 
rious growths on either side of these fields. The 
place was as secluded as if far away from town and 
people, while in reality one of the chief streets ran 
quite near the wall, its range and the intervening pri- 
vate grounds above forming the only separation. 
Nature had decorated the walls until the effect was 
much like that of hanging gardens; and when Eu- 
genius lifted his eyes he sometimes perceived the 
children of the rich neighbors looking, not without 
awe, down upon Under-the-Groves, the region of his 
walk, and to them a sort of mystic world, at least 
not devoid of legend. 

A little farther, and the stars which ornamented 
the brow of a statue, that of the Blessed Virgin on 
the massive Star-Gate, struck his eye. 

Once, being near that gate, he was surprised to 
see no statue with gilded stars, but the Blessed Vir- 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


12 

gin Mary herself, in raiment of heavenly blue, her 
glance, like her crown’s radiance, directed upon him. 
The Star-Child stretched forth his arms and sang: 

“Ave, Maria, Gratia plena!” 

From the near graveyard her gaze had turned 
heavenward, but now for a moment her smile dwelt 
upon him. By virtue of this miraculous event Eu- 
genius learned to regard God’s acre as a midway sta- 
tion leading to celestial avenues. Buoyant were his 
steps as he turned homeward over the beloved path. 
So lofty was his exhilaration that it sought expres- 
sion in a Te Deum. That voice struck one, a mortal 
in the upper grove, as supramundane, Heaven-born. 

And the birds in the fields and gardens on both 
pides of his path struck up a joyous carol whose 
burden seemed to be, “Oh, the beauty of this earth !” 

When at the wicket Eugenius heard the greetings 
of his sisters, he felt anew the blessings of home and 
love, and uttered never-forgotten thanksgivings ; but, 
like this prayer to God, the apparition of Holy Mary 
remained wrapped in silence. 

The country around the home of Eugenius was one 
of the fairest in the world, and its very absence of 
grandeur nourished a sense of tranquillity. If the 
lad’s mood inclined to the open, he need but turn to 
the left, where a plain extending to the horizon 
spread out before him on the Cathedral Highway, 
so called because it led to a distant city famous for 
its huge cathedral. He sometimes wandered on this 
road between high elms as far as a milestone, at times 
not farther than half-way, where, at a junction, were 
ruins of a pagan temple. That by-way, leading to 


WANDERINGS 


IS 


the Star-Gate, thence past the graveyard, evoked the 
keynote of his spirituality. 

A brook meandered along the highway ; birds war- 
bled in the elms, in the flower-adorned meadows all 
around. Air and sky no less attuned Eugenius to 
song, and singing, he descended to the playground 
laid out for him at home, where sisters, father and 
often his mother joined in wholesome sport. 

Eugenius’ home did not lie, however, in a country 
of plains. To the right of the Cathedral Gate, where 
opened the elm-tree highroad, an ascent within the 
town led to a bastion formerly used by a guard of 
the customs, now transmuted into a belvedere com- 
manding varied views. Directly below, a clear, broad 
river swept along. Level reaches, like those of Hol- 
land, extended beyond, but the only windmill was at 
Eugenius’ side. 

Far beyond those Netherlands a divinely beautiful 
chain of hills fascinated him; and what also drew 
him so often to that airy spot was the cathedral. 
Lying to the north, it stood at twilight in a deeper 
glow than the neighboring city wherein it was 
throned. Eugenius regarded both hills and cathe- 
dral as the emblems of Heaven. 

The belvedere afforded also a comprehensive view 
of the town itself, with its four churches, one at each 
extreme, and the huge Munster in the center. 

“A divine fortress,” murmured Eugenius, “these 
five, with the Munster’s five towers — the blessing 
hands of God.” 

So far as the town was concerned, his interest cen- 
tered in these places of devotion. The feeling of in- 


n 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


terest was but vague, however; Providence had not 
yet spoken. 

• •••••••* 

“My sixth birthday,” related the Star-Child, “was 
passed in a paradise on earth. Our excursion began 
early over a series of wooded ascents. I wore my well- 
considered birthday present, a broad-brimmed straw 
hat. A perfect day! By easy stages we climbed to 
a plateau of enchanting view, with the uncle’s spa- 
cious, tidy cottage in its midst. A happy family 
meal in sunlight without; tamed animals — a giraffe, 
a young elephant, a couple of lions and tigers, some 
deer among them — enjoyed, unchained, the holiday, 
while over a lake which enclosed part of the estate 
birds of paradise flew along the shadows of luxuriant 
trees. The remainder of the four acres was sur- 
rounded by high, flowery growths ; indeed, I remem- 
ber the whole place as eloquent with beauty.” 

“But, Eugenia,” lovingly remonstrated his sisters, 
“certainly only a cow, a calf, an ox, a dog and cat 
and a few sparrows were there.” Eugenius could 
not accept this inventory. How could the presence 
of those tamed beasts and the rich plumage of the 
birds be no more than an imagination? 

“Do you recollect what present our bachelor-uncle 
gave you?” 

“The invitation to visit him,” Eugenius replied. 

“Also a Noah’s ark,” said his sister, smiling. “You 
transferred to the estate its twenty wooden inmates, 
imaged in fur and feathers.” 

“But find me some other explanation,” said the 
Star-Child. 


WANDERINGS 


15 


“I have found it,” said Martha, after reflection, 
“in an excellent place, too — in the Bible which, given 
to you ere we started, you then asked me to read. It 
was the first chapter of Genesis that impressed you 
so deeply.” 

“The wild beasts, amenable to caresses, could but 
have added to our sense of peacefulness. Yet be it 
as you say ; for, indeed, I was then but a child,” said 
Eugenius, in his tenth year. 

When on that occasion the family returned 
through the woods, the appearance of chimneys and 
turrets, suggesting in the twilight an edifice of mag- 
nitude, told them that they had mistaken the road. 
They found themselves confronted by a rivulet, with 
bowlders much too far apart for little Eugenius’ 
stride. His tall father swung the child upon his 
broad shoulder, crossed with ease and landed him 
lightly on the bank. 

There in the darkness the child was received by 
one in drapery like an evening glow, seen and heard 
only by himself. Her form was fashioned like a prin- 
cess, and her head was adorned with stars only less 
resplendent than those in the crown of Heaven’s 
Queen. She hailed him: “Graced as thou art, Eu- 
genius, I would confirm thee in this water, sanctified 
by touch of angels, were not one higher than I, 
though he is clothed in camel’s hair, to perform that 
holy rite upon thee.” 

Thereto the Star-Child answered: “Well versed 
in legends, I learned, sweet Patroness, of thy tri- 
umphs, begun with the conversion of many thousand 


16 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


virgins and resulting in glorification. Thy piety has 
ever incited me to thanks and devotion.” 

She vanished with a beaming smile, and Eugenius 
joined the others. 

Next day the town was animated by the news that 
on the former evening nuns had espied St. Christo- 
pher carrying the Infant Jesus across the rivulet 
where, near the convent of St. Ursula, it turns into 
the forest’s most charming recesses. 

The gloaming perchance mystified the observers ; 
nevertheless, a certain similitude cannot be denied, 
since the piety of St. Horticus and Eugenius may 
well have adorned them during that crossing with 
the clearly distinguished halos. Thus either vision 
was the spectators’ gain. 

Eugenius did not fear the dark, and his steps were 
often bent to the so-called Gloom Lane, shunned by 
the townspeople. Originally this lane was a continu- 
ation of Under-the-Groves in its descent to the river ; 
but through the removal of part of the town-wall 
near Cathedral Gate the character of the downward 
wall was greatly changed. Deprived of growths, it 
had blackened with age, and the steep ground was 
overgrown with the poison sumac, black flowers and 
skeleton trees. 

The town was ancient and slow in adopting mod- 
ern things. A poorhouse, a madhouse and hospital 
stood near the edge of the wall. Although these 
crudely erected asylums were not seen, the groans 
pf the sick and shrieks of the deranged struck Eu- 


FRIENDS 


17 


genius’ ear, while the emaciated trees seemed to re- 
flect the needs of the poor. 

But these were only passing shadows to the Star- 
Child. Beyond them he gazed upon the bright river’s 
flow and still further to the cathedral, sublime in 
light or mist, pointing past gloom, grief and the 
grave to the higher Beyond, to the highest Heaven. 
And returning, he, to whom darkness was never with- 
out a beam of light, plucked the blackest of those 
flowers, breathed upon it, and lo ! a snow-white blos- 
som beamed forth, attesting the grace of God 
throughout. 

Through voices of sympathy Eugenius became 
aware that gardening, though it afforded pleasure, 
was not his final vocation. He wondered in what way 
he was destined to reach more directly the hearts and 
souls of rich and poor, how he could bring them into 
closer communion with one another, and into the 
bliss that comes through nearness to God. 


FRIENDS 

O N that day nobody disturbed him during meal- 
time, as was the custom when he appeared 
introspective. In the afternoon, however, his mother, 
availing herself of his lighter mood, handed to him 
a letter which she had received that morning. Its 
message was, that the writer would be much pleased 


18 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


to have Eugenius associate with her two boys, and 
invited him to call next day. It was signed “The 
Architect Miriam’s wife, in St. Matthew Street.” 

St. Matthew’s distinguished itself from the other 
town streets in that it was broad and quiet. It had 
been built on the former fortification-works, thereby 
enlarging the town and beautifying it. In spite of 
its newness it was not without legend, for it was 
closely connected with Under-the-Groves, with which 
it ran parallel. Indeed, the large grove-adorned 
gardens which overhung Under-the-Groves were 
those bordering St. Matthew Street. 

Eugenius crossed Triangle Place and passed St. 
John’s passion-cross, which marked the site of an 
ancient baptismal chapel dedicated to that harbinger 
of the Lamb on earth. He had already turned into 
St. Matthew Street, when it occurred to him that he 
did not know the house. He walked the length of 
the street. The houses were marked by wealth and 
amplitude, each one standing detached and permit- 
ting a garden view from both sides. Nowhere were 
there two boys playing. 

As he stood in front of the last residence he felt 
hands gently resting on his head and saw “Behold 
the Lamb of God !” gleaming on a reed-cross banner. 

He turned and said: “St. John, once herald, now 
no less minded to spread the cleansing fire of truth, 
be greeted !” 

The answer came softly : “I am he, and I have just 
christened thee Saint Eugenius. Enter here ! 
Through play and song shalt thou find thy voca- 
tion!” 


FRIENDS 


19 


It was the house that he had been seeking, and the 
welcome of St. Eugen-ius was hearty. He played boy- 
like with the two new friends. Presently, as he was 
about to take his leave, their mother asked him for 
a song. He sang, and seeing her in tears, desisted. 

“Pray,” said Mistress Miriam, “sing the rest.” 

“Why, then,” asked he mildly, “are you weeping?” 

“Because it is so beautiful,” she said. 

Nearing the wicket of his home, he saw people 
assembled there lost in admiration of his father’s 
beautified grounds, of the judicious location of flower- 
beds, of the gaily sparkling fountain, and of the 
greenhouse with flower-filled windows. 

St. Eugenius saluted known and unknown alike, 
and invited them to share his games and his reading ; 
and within the gorgeous greenhouse he said, “Who- 
ever loves the Blessed Virgin, pray pluck some flow- 
ers.” Many flowers were gathered, yet the number 
did not decrease, as a new bud burst forth to replace 
each plucked in the name of the Holy Mother. 

The garden’s reputation increased as these won- 
ders were noised abroad. Orders for flowers arrived 
from far and near. Martha and Mary were kept 
busy on their fields of violets and roses, and people 
prided themselves on buying Eugenius’ flowers. 

And still the people wondered why the most strik- 
ingly beautiful bed in the form of a star should re- 
main without an effective centerpiece. Friends and 
parents and sisters named and even offered the plants 
of their choice. St. Eugenius begged for delay until 
his birthday. “A dream, which I know will come 


20 EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 

true, has told me that then will be given the finishing 
touch to the garden,” he said. 


THE VOCATION 

T HUS far in this tale there has been little chrono- 
logical order. Eugenius had developed uncon- 
sciously, perchance because the life of a star-child 
partakes of the eternal. On the day following Holy 
Mary’s second apparition, St. Eugenius, feeling him- 
self drawn to the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, 
asked to be excused from the usual divine service at 
home. 

Often had he visited a church and been impressed 
with its sacredness. Now as he walked to the Church 
of Our Lady of Mercy he felt as if the earth at 
large were a tabernacle of God. Filled with inspira- 
tion, he remained absorbed within St. Mary’s shrine, 
where everything — the organ’s sorrow and sweet- 
ness, the fragrance of incense, tile midday twilight 
in the church, the many forms of service — were to 
him benedictions of the Holy Virgin. 

This service became also memorable to the con- 
gregation inasmuch as a blurred painting on the 
wall, retained only out of respect for its age, had 
suddenly revealed the exquisite features of the Holy 
Virgin. Well had St. Eugenius — and he alone — ob- 
served, like a sacrament, the retouching brush-work 


THE VOCATION 


SI 

on that painting; well he knew that St. Luke had 
not only supplemented the Scriptures, but had been 
inspired to a true rendering of them on canvas. 

After this service the world was changed to St. 
Eugenius into one more beautiful still, blending, in- 
deed, into the heavenly; and his blessedness found 
voice in a song so full of devotion that his father 
ceded to him the morning, noon and evening prayers, 
such wordless canticles excelling spoken words. 

“St. Chrysostom’s ideal of sacred song is reached 
by thee, my son. Verily, I am well pleased in thee, 
Eugenius,” said the father, solemnly. 

St. Eugenius’ song seemed to appeal no less to the 
genius of flowers, and even as they listened their hue 
seemed to become brighter, their grouping more rev- 
erent, and buyers wondered at the sight of floral 
piety. 

Another Sunday followed. 

“Eugenius ! Eugenius !” 

His mother came to him just as he rose from morn- 
ing prayer and said: “God bless you, my dear son 
Eugenius! When in thy greenhouse to look for 
plants in need, I found them all amazingly erect, in 
perfect bloom, and while inhaling their fragrance 
I heard thy name called twice as if by an angel- 
tongue.” 

“A call for my vocation !” the boy answered. 

“St. Eugenius !” 

“Mother dear, do you not hear it even now ?” 

“No, I hear no sound,” replied she, angel-like in 
voice and visage. 


22 


EUGENICS, THE STAR-CHILD 


“Yet twice thou heardst — twofold proof of thy 
communion with saints. Sancta Caecilia calls me to 
her church and to silent prayer.” 

Then son and mother kissed each other, and St. 
Eugenius went to St. Caecilia’s. 

It so happened that its pastor and choir were on 
this day officiating at the consecration of a village 
church, and, in consequence, the congregation were 
observing their service in the form of silent prayer. 
In the vestry, unseen hands attired the Star-Child 
in the light purple vestment of a chorister, and, 
borne by angels, St. Eugenius found himself in the 
organ-loft face to face with a rose-wreathed saint in 
violet church attire. 

“Sancta Caecilia !” he breathed. “I am thrilled with 
joy in the presence of the Soul of Music.” 

Inspiration burst upon him, and to the saint’s sub- 
lime accompaniment St. Eugenius responded in di- 
vine anthems. The Vox humana took no part; all 
was fraught with Heaven. 

Sancta Caecilia blessed St. Eugenius. The chor- 
ister descended to depart, but was drawn into the 
small, exquisitely furnished church and there over- 
whelmed with praises and kisses ; while, with the boy 
among them, the profoundly stirred worshippers em- 
braced each other in token of strengthened unity. 
Membership was proffered to “chorister and organ- 
ist,” and they could hardly believe him when he re- 
plied : “So truly as your patroness is mistress of the 
organ, I never touched an organ-key.” Still, as they 
insisted, St. Eugenius said simply: “Mine is no sin- 
gle service. I feel destined to serve all.” 


THE VOCATION 


23 


This answer was accepted as implying future bene- 
factions. Then over a lily placed in his hand was 
shed a ray from a heavenly source; and the flower 
which commemorated the chorister’s inauguration, 
did not fade. 

Through his well-known traits of character and 
this performance at St. Caecilia’s, St. Eugenius ac- 
quired the surname of the “Gentle Chorister.” At 
home his coming, surplice-vested, was hailed with joy, 
trebled upon learning from children who had fol- 
lowed, what had transpired. Thenceforth St. Hor- 
ticus was assailed with requests for Eugenius to sing 
in church. Each Sunday and holiday he either joined 
in chorus or sang solo, arousing great enthusiasm; 
for his music imparted peace of soul and drew his 
hearers nearer God. 

Once when an organist, though ill, was perform- 
ing his duty as best he could, St. Eugenius, moved 
to pity, relieved him, touched the keyboards, stops 
and pedals, unknown to him before, and mastered 
them. So great is the power of Faith! No minor 
cadence marred this song of jubilee. Magnificently 
sounded the Gloria and the Hallelujah. 

Save by himself, the gentle chorister sang only in 
the house of God. Each nook reserved for worship 
was to him, however, a holy spot. The imputation 
of heresy was never laid on him. The Holy Spirit 
in and around him held men of every denomination 
within bounds of reason. He was welcome every- 
where, because his song uplifted the soul to the high- 
est goal imagined by each sect. 

Unless at work or play, St. Eugenius appeared in 


24 EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 

the vestments of a chorister, in deference to the be- 
stowal of them by angel-hands. 


FULFILMENTS 

A FTER many a Lord’s day, resonant with St. 

Eugenius’ song, and after days of labor — 
with him so many hours of love and devotion — the 
eve of his birthday again arrived. 

His mind was ever filled with “the beatification of 
it all,” as he expressed it, and he had hardly men- 
tioned of late the plant which his dream had told him 
should come on his birthday for a center to his 
flower-bed. His family remembered, however, and 
waited expectantly. They did not disturb Eugenius, 
for they knew his thoughts were good. 

Shortly before midnight, while he was resting, they 
repaired to the star-shaped flower-bed, where a mild 
moon disclosed the vacant center. Upon the stroke 
of twelve this suddenly changed, and an upheaval of 
the earth was followed by a slowly emerging plant 
whose nature could not be discerned. Enough for 
them as proof that all thrived with Eugenius. 

The prayerful night had passed, and, leaving the 
others asleep, the Star-Child arose, traversed part of 
the garden, glorified by dawn, and then, seating him- 
self on a bench fraught with insignia of saints, he 
thus addressed 


FULFILMENTS 


25 


THE STAR CENTER 

O Cactus ! thou of beauty like a rose, 

Of charm more potent, in that thou to me 
Camest forth from dreamland like a dream 
To this fair world of mystery. 

Fount-like and wondrous to behold, 

Thou springest, but wilt not recede. 

Armor and build assure us of thy stay ; 

Emblem of strength, give strength indeed. 

The mellow beauty of thy crimson bloom, 

Who might its softening influence forego? 

Who ’gainst thy spines would remonstrate? 
Defenseless, who could succor here below? 

So, as my gaze arises to thy crown, 

I wonder whence the precious seed that gave 
Thee life was blown — f rom desert or gay field ? 

Or brought by bird from some isle’s peak or cave? 

Whate’er thy source and bearing on my life, 
Whate’er thy fate, I’ll nurse thee well, 

0 Cactus ! center of a flower-star, 

Fit gift, no less, for saints who oft here dwell. 

Ere long parents and sisters were at Eugenius’ 
side. Amazement held them speechless for a while. 
St. Horticus said that so beautiful a cactus had 
never been seen before. Congratulations were then 
tendered the birthday-child, and he conducted his 


26 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


family to a shaded avenue half-way up their hillside. 
While they wandered there the overbranching trees 
burst into blossoms, resplendent yet subdued, shaped 
like callas, delicate as fleurs-de-lis. Clustered among 
their tropical leaves, these flowers formed beautiful 
bouquets, and as often as St. Eugenius presented a 
bunch the severed flowers were instantly replenished. 
Thus provided, the many visitors to the wonder-cac- 
tus left St. Eugenius’ Avenue in full bloom, and 
friends and strangers departed as if they, too, were 
birthday-children, filled with thoughts of a higher 
life. 

Some months later another festivity was an- 
nounced, unlike the former, yet of interest. 

Special work had busied St. Eugenius in the gar- 
den for a week, and birthday-flowers had been or- 
dered for the following Saturday. On Thursday, 
however, something prompted him to prepare the 
bunch of choice flowers and to set out with it for the 
town. He found that family, strangers to him, in 
sore grief. He stepped into their circle and said 
unfalteringly to the parents: 

“I know the cause of your grief, and I know the 
truth. First of all, have faith! Then relieve the 
sufferings of these two children, as innocent as their 
playmate, the young brother, who, wading too far 
from the river-bank, was yesterday drowned before 
their eyes. Love for you prevented their telling. 
Love them the more for the sake of their lost brother. 
Aye, weep, but do not mourn him. His was a saintly 
natal star; now he celebrates his birth in Heaven, 


PILGRIMAGES 27 

and your earthly life’s short span will be made hap- 
pier through his life on high.” 

These words were taken in the spirit in which they 
were given, akin, they thought, to that of the Holy 
Spirit. 

Upon departing, St. Eugenius begged them to 
accept the bunch of flowers in memory of him in 
Heaven, and pointed out in the bouquet symbols of 
faith, hope and charity, and of glorification. Aware 
of constant divine fulfilments, the consoled parents 
accepted the gift with heartfelt thanks. 


PILGRIMAGES 

M ORE appreciative of art since St. Horticus’ 
garden had set them an example, the town- 
authorities engaged a sculptor to fashion a statue 
of St. Nepomuck out of the mile-stone which had 
formed the limit of the Star-Child’s walk on the high- 
road to Cathedral City. St. Eugenius shared the 
artist’s interest in the work, and even inspired the 
worker whenever, disheartened, he laid the chisel 
aside. Over and again he found the sculptor con- 
centrating his thoughts upon the statue so as to call 
forth a soulful presentment. It was at length nearing 
completion, but folds in the canon’s dress were yet 
to be retouched, the cross and a blessing hand yet 
to be chiseled. 


28 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


Finally success crowned perseverance, and St. 
Nepomuck day was appointed by the people. They 
took the mile-walk, admired and praised the artist, 
and rewarded him with an ovation. At length, when 
pilgrimages to the mile-stone were ended by inclement 
weather, St. Eugenius himself set out upon a walk 
to that spot. It was a tempestuous afternoon, 
gloomy save for a ray on the Star-Child’s path, and 
he found his progress impeded. Heavy rains during 
the previous night had inundated the fields, and the 
brook to the right had begun to submerge the road, 
so that it seemed now a part of the meadows. 

The elm-trees had a haggard, weather-beaten ap- 
pearance. The more serene, therefore, seemed a 
presence, the spirit of St. Nepomuck, which ap- 
proached the Star-Child. Confidently St. Eugenius 
took the saint’s proffered hand, and said: 

“Whenever I am near waters, I become aware of 
thee and the five stars that crown thee, emblems of 
thy enduring victory. The thought of this reassures 
me, O patron of bridges !” So, over a dry path un- 
perceived before by St. Eugenius, the two proceeded 
to the statue. 

The waters receded from the pedestal, and, point- 
ing to the statue, St. Nepomuck spoke thus: “Zeal 
devoted to works like this is no more lost than are 
the thoughts of devotion which it excites. This work’s 
creator is under my especial protection. So, St. 
Eugenius, thou who hadst devotional share in its 
construction ; safe be thy homeward path !” 

“Ardent thanks,” replied the youth, “my gracious 
patron ! Be thou ever cherished among the saints !” 


PILGRIMAGES 


29 


Thereupon St. Eugenius descended two pedestal 
steps ; a third dry step remained, then knee-deep 
waters. But as he descended the waters softly re- 
ceded, and he went over a new-formed way as on a 
narrow isthmus, high and dry, until the higher road 
was reached. There the temple ruins, gruesome in 
the darkness, raised in him a desire that a chapel 
should be erected in their stead. 

This thought incited him to tranquil song, with- 
out a thought of the inundation and its ominous mur- 
murings. Had there been roaring floods, the Star- 
Child would have walked the sea by simple faith. 

Winter, with its glistening snow-fields, its own sun 
and firmament, furthered the spiritual life of St. 
Eugenius. Then hothouse flowers developed for him 
as pure symbols of the one great reality, which is 
Love. Evenings in the domestic circle were bright- 
ened by his unalloyed happiness. Hope and its satel- 
lites were ever active, and as in winter plans are 
shaped for spring, St. Eugenius, conscious of his 
maturity, intended then to lift the veil from the 
longed-for Cathedral City. 

Spring joyfully came at last, and the Star-Child 
would gladly have joined pilgrims and journeyed 
with them over tortuous paths. However, it was not 
so decreed, and without any pang of disappointment 
he bade a short farewell to parents and sisters, and 
in the usual choir vestment he set forth upon the 
river in a small boat. 

This was the stream whose course St. Eugenius 
had followed so often and with such longing. On 


30 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


this beautiful day his mind perceived symbols every- 
where. Already, in leaving the garden-wicket, he 
had compared his early life with the bubbling of a 
spring and the river’s first sallies; his succeeding 
years with its less deviating flow ; and now, at twelve, 
the chorister felt himself at the full tide of spiritual- 
ity, strong as the river flowing beneath him. 

When St. Eugenius landed at the city the way to 
the imposing cathedral lay clearly before him. The 
deep intonations from the belfry touched powerfully 
the choral chords in St. Eugenius’ soul. Though 
the gloaming darkened with a touch of mystery the 
lofty steeples and turrets and portals without, all was 
light within. It burst forth upon the chorister like 
a revelation, illuminating porticos, transepts, dome, 
indeed the whole sacred edifice, and adorning with 
beaming hues the saints’ images on the high-arched 
windows. 

Chapels, chantries and altars anon merged into 
one magnificent Holy of Holies so vast as to concen- 
trate whatever is most beautiful on earth, all tinged 
with celestial splendor. There, seated among prelates, 
the chorister was inducted into the workings of divine 
service. Organ-anthem, choir-song, silence, all were 
sublime; the sacred rites were performed by saints 
and angels, whose presence was sometimes reflected 
on niche or painting or embroidery. 

While the churches of Our Lady of Mercy or of 
St. Caecilia were each one a world of its own, the 
cathedral was on a much larger scale, comprising a 
whole community of celestial hosts. The outpour- 
ing of the Holy Ghost upon those at prayer was 


PILGRIMAGES 


31 


manifest, and also the ministrations of angels. The 
love of God communicated itself to all, and, in con- 
junction with love of saints and angels, reached the 
devout souls of the congregation as a bountiful re- 
ward for inmost fervor. A youthful voice, heaven- 
gifted, had poured blessedness into their hearts, and 
thereafter they met world perplexities with ease and 
grace. 

The Star-Child thought : “Christ and Holy Mary 
have pressed me to their hearts, the saints and angels 
have lent me their blessing hands. God has made 
me indeed blest.” Then also occurred to him the 
thought: “This emblem, the cathedral revealed, how 
suggestive it is of the glow of God’s still higher pur- 
pose!” Thus St. Eugenius returned with a spirit 
even richer in love, joy, peace; and his family, be- 
coming participants in these attributes, henceforth 
considered the cathedral a sanctuary of divine in- 
fluence. 


Near the southern moat of the town stood St. 
Michael’s Gate, so called because the saint piercing 
the dragon with his lance was depicted upon its orna- 
mented front. From this gate led a poplar-lined 
highroad, which ere it reached a commercial town, 
branched off twice, the farther turn leading to a sa- 
cred fount frequented by pilgrims. The ground 
near St. Michael’s Gate was still bedecked with leaves 
and flowers strewn as a godspeed to the pilgrims. 
The impulse to join one of these bands lingered in 
St. Eugenius’ mind as a beautiful hope whose ful- 


32 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


filment would occur whenever his wish gained the 
form of prayer. 

In company of some friends, the Miriams among 
the number, he continued the walk on St. Michael’s 
highway. His soul was filled with song as now and 
then the river to their left became audible or visible. 

“How wonderfully beautiful is this world,” said 
he, “where, if rightly viewed, everything is bliss or 
leads to bliss! Only behold the river’s course from 
the Hills Delectable to the Cathedral City!” The 
sanctification there so recently experienced rekindled 
in him the longing to communicate his love so as not 
to have lived in vain. In this spirit he again turned 
toward his companions and addressed to them words 
sweet as music. 

By this time they had reached a stone called 
“Swords’ Points,” from two swords crossing each 
other on that monument in memory of a fratricide. 
On hearing this tale, St. Eugenius said : “Rather be 
this point named ‘Monument of Love,’ to indicate the 
dissolution of all feuds into love, timely reflection 
on which outcome should assuage ill feeling.” Since 
then this name has been adopted, and the monument, 
blessed by St. Eugenius, is made the terminus of pil- 
grimages of the decrepit. 

The Monument of Love faces the first by-way of 
St. Michael’s highroad, and in the distance is visible 
an ancient castle famous for its associations with 
warfare, minstrelsy and cavalier lore. That castle 
suggested to St. Eugenius a new allegory, and in the 
mood thus aroused he would fain have returned had 
not a voice urged him on. A cripple had wheeled 


PILGRIMAGES 


33 


himself to the spot on that by-road, near enough to 
be seen by charitable persons on either road; lame 
and dumb, he spent his days there crouched in his 
chair ; but from years of begging he had accumulated 
a fortune. Covetousness was at once his defect and 
his solace. 

Forth came the Star-Child and took pity on him. 
The man held out his hand for alms. 

‘‘Not so, my friend,” rejoined St. Eugenius; “but, 
God willing, I will restore you, provided you commit 
your fortune to the poor and devote to God the rest 
of your days.” 

The rich cripple hesitated. But so much stronger 
was the spirit that possessed the Star-Child that it 
prevailed. Upon grasping both hands of the child, 
lameness left the man. He arose in the iron chair; 
he descended, walked a few steps, and, tongue-tied no 
longer, exclaimed: “God Almighty be thanked, be 
blessed!” 

Anon, St. Martin, of divine charitableness, ap- 
peared in priestly robes to St. Eugenius and em- 
braced him as a brother saint. The two communed 
together for a space, then said St. Eugenius to the 
cripple : 

“Aye, thank God out of the fullness of your heart ; 
not only you are blest, but through those first words 
of yours is your father saved, who, as you know, died 
with a curse upon his lips.” 

“Even so. Gratitude a thousandfold also to you, 
young evangelist. Count upon the fulfilment of my 
promises, so truly as I utter my name, Albertus 
Altum,” and this vow was confirmed by an embrace. 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


84 

He gently lifted the Star-Child upon the chair and 
joyously wheeled him homeward, while both distrib- 
uted alms to the poor among the gathering people. 
With arms outstretched over chorister and convert, 
St. Martin followed them. 

A number of forerunners had informed St. Horti- 
cus and his family of the occurrence, and they has- 
tened to prepare a feast on the extensive lawn, with 
Albertus Altum as the honored guest at the head of 
the table, and with every one welcome to share the 
festivity. When among cheers the restored man first 
viewed the garden, admiration flowed from his 
tongue, and each group, the velvety greensward, the 
fountain, the blossoming avenue, were lauded. One 
flower-bed he viewed as the reflection of a star from 
Heaven. 

“Where,” asked he during the festival, “is he whom 
you call the gentle chorister?” 

But St. Eugenius had retired for praise, and in 
the recess of a mansard room was lifting his heart to 
God. 

Albertus Altum, friend of the poor, is now as- 
sistant of a divine. He devotes his life to service in 
the honor of God, and his words of comfort are by- 
words in many a household. 


PROVIDENCE 


85 


PROVIDENCE 

W HILE St. Eugenius devoted Sundays to 
choirs, and much time in consideration of 
how to benefit others, he continued to seek recreation 
in walks, or playgrounds, at home and at the 
Miriams’. His stay there usually ended with a song 
in the small oratory which the architect considered 
an essential of each house. There the Star-Child 
usually found Godfrey Miriam seated near the organ 
in expectation of the pleasure which he always de- 
rived from the chorister’s song. After it had ended 
and the singer was gone, Mrs. Miriam would often 
say to her husband: “Happy in our boys, yet I 
should love, for their sake and ours, to adopt this 
precious child.” 

“Aside from his parents’ claim on him,” the archi- 
tect rejoined, with a sad smile, “Eugenius is engaged 
in the choir of Heaven.” 

In course of time sports in the Miriams’ beautiful 
groves took another form — the performance, in a 
drawing-room, of plays prepared by the Star-Child. 
Attending these performances, Mrs. Miriam was 
struck by their originality, and her husband also en- 
couraged them. Under St. Eugenius’ guidance the 
children adapted themselves with zeal to their roles. 
Each week, for months, a new play was rehearsed in 
a green-tapestried room, which they called “our 
green-room,” and presented on Saturdays before de- 
lighted spectators. The number of the audience in- 


36 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


creased, as also that of voluntary performers, for 
the Miriams were hospitable people. 

As coming from a Star-Child, St. Eugenius’ play 
will be appreciated : 


PROVIDENCE: A MIRACLE-PLAY 

Amasia , Zamora: 

Angels on a gold-laced cloudlet. 

Amasia (reading in the Book of Prophecy). — 
Alas, the rose must be sacrificed for Gwendolyn, the 
baby, or . . . 

Zamora . — Let what is best, be. 

Amasia . — ... or at to-morrow’s celebration of 
bloom of rose and lily Gwendolyn’s sister will be de- 
tained while danger threatens the infant. 

Zamora . — Continue ; I am deeply concerned. 

Amasia. — Pray, read for yourself — too deeply 
am I touched by the premature death of the rose. 

Zamora (reading). — Awakened by bells, Gwendo- 
lyn will leave her cradle, toddle toward the hillside 
above a brook and, unless rescued, will be injured. 
To the shock her mother would succumb and, through 
the calamity thus aggravated, the father be thrown 
into an untimely grave. 

Amasia. — Hence perish, as a lesser soul, the rose. 

Zamora . — Amen. 


PROVIDENCE 


37 


THE PARISH GARDEN 

(Enter children singing) : 

“White, Red and Green.” 

Little girls are fond of flowers, 

Like them, welcome everywhere: 

Let us enter garden-arbors 
And enjoy the blossoms there. 

Parish-wall, vine-overladen, 

Leaves suggestion unfulfilled — 

Plumy grasses, ferns and ivies 
Seem luxuriantly tilled. 

Gratifying though this verdure, 

How its charm would be enhanced 

By some flowers — lo ! a lily 
And a rose hold us entranced. 

Rose love-spending, love-inciting! 

Were this one thy only day, 

For its sun, bird-song and verdure 
Thou wouldst bless the holiday. 

Shouldst thou bear our pure ovation 
Fragrantly to azure height, 

Woful grief of little, loving 
Girls might add to thy delight. 

(Gwendolyn’s sister Hildegard leaves hurriedly. 

The others also, in tears, disperse soon after.) 


38 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


PRIVATE GROUNDS 

(Weeping and in vain searching for her parents, 
Hildegard discovers the empty cradle, hastens and 
overtakes Gwendolyn on the abrupt edge of the hill.) 

Hildegard. — You froward child! You would have 
been hurt had I not chanced to come this way. 

Gwendolyn. — Naughty sis ! I will tell mamma you 
stop wee baby. 

(Enter parents, returning from church.) 

Mother . — How good in you to take Gwen for a 
walk ! 

Hildegard. — I just saved her from tumbling into 
the brook. 

Mother (startled). — Where is the nurse? Absent 
during our absence ! That teaches us a lesson. 

Father. — Foremost is the efficacy of prayer. 

Mother (fondling baby in her arms). — Hildegard, 
why in tears ? 

Hildegard. — I have just seen the transfigured 
smile of a dying rose. 

Mother. — Faith through all, dear child. 

(Hildegard comes into the house.) 

Hildegard (opening an envelope and reading). — 
“To Hildegard: Praise for thy behavior, good child. 
To recompense thee, please attend another celebra- 


PROVIDENCE 


tion in the parish-garden to-morrow at the same 
time. 

“Faithfully, two intimates, 

“A. ☆ Z.” 

(Enter another child.) 

Gertrude (sadly). — Sweet even in death was the 
beloved rose, (flurried) Read, my friend, a letter 
just received. 

Hildegard (reading). — “To Gertrude: Regrets 
for thy disappointment at to-day’s festival. To rec- 
ompense thee, please attend,” etc. 

Gertrude . — “Two intimates.” Who may they be? 

Hildegard. — Indeed, who are they, with a star be- 
tween them, as comprising the whole alphabet? We 
will surely attend. 


PARISH GARDEN 

(Next day, the same hour.) 

The whole garden one profusion of deep-rooted, 
high-grown roses and lilies, joyously blooming 
among evergreens. The amazed and delighted chil- 
dren celebrate. 

(Enter Parson.) 

Parson (at first speechless). — How this miracle 
came to pass we cannot know. However, the first 
step for us to take in the midst of this supernal bloom 
and fragrance is clearly this : Let us, dear children, 
lift our glances heavenward! As to our future steps, 
each one of them, if righteous, may safely be en- 
trusted to our parent Providence. 


40 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


MANIFESTATION 

T HAT play, the reading of which Mrs. Miriam 
called a divine privilege, had been carefully 
rehearsed. The announced evening came. 

Unperceived, the Star-Child had taken to his bed 
in the little room. His parents and sisters, not much 
given to visits in the residences of the rich, yet al- 
ways ready to meet their beloved Eugenius every- 
where, had agreed to attend. In Sunday garments 
they entered with a concourse of other people, but 
were informed by ushers of a change of program as 
well as of place, divine service being substituted and 
transferred to the junction of Cathedral Highway 
and Cemetery Road. There, as will be recalled, were 
the temple ruins which St. Eugenius had so often 
wished replaced by a House of God. 

Nobody was more astonished at transference of the 
scene to that site than Godfrey Miriam and his wife. 
Desirous to add to the joys of “our angel child,” 
they had always been planning surprises for him 
which they called their miracles. Thus the architect 
had begun erecting at that corner a chapel whose 
prominent feature should be the choir. He intended 
to hasten the process of building, that the completed 
structure might first greet the Star-Child’s delighted 
eyes. But in the still domeless, unequipped dark 
structure how were vespers to be held ? 

“Who were the ushers?” asked Mrs. Miriam, on 
the way. “Their voices were full of piety, as if bor- 
rowed from the chorister.” 


MANIFESTATION 


41 


With deeper insight, St. Horticus said to St. Eliz- 
abeth : “He who has always been in the midst of us, 
leads us even more evidently to blissfulness this 
night.” 

Doubters stayed behind and deprived themselves of 
the guidance of the Redeemer himself, once more 
united on an earthly mission with his favorite, St. 
John. By them, they who trusted were conducted 
as over hallowed ground, toward a celestial light in 
the perfected chapel. 

The congregation soon occupied the pews. An 
organ anthem sounded “Te Deum Laudamus” “Ave, 
Maria” “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” all in one, which 
culminated in 

MANIFESTATION: A DIVINITY PLAY' 
Altar and Choir. 

Angels and St . Eugenius the chorister. 

Chorister . — I slept, perchance a soulless vegeta- 
tion, 

When, lo ! as if from lifeless ether flown, 

Possesses me a ray of revelation, 

But whence and whither, then, this vague un- 
known ? 

Angels. — Heavenward. 

Chorister . — Was that a dream and passes my ex- 
istence, 

Buried on a somber, sterile star ? 

Nay, real meadows bloom, the sun here glistens, 

And zephyrs cherish — blown from near or far? 


42 


EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD 


A ngels. — Heavenward. 

Chorister — Strengthened I rise; my wonderment 
enhances 

As light and shadow, land and sea I view, 

And to the purple mountain turn my glances, 
Where slowly sinks the sun — in course whereto ? 

A ngels . — Heavenward. 

Chorister . — The evening star her majesty dis- 
closes, 

The nightingale and curfew lull to rest, 

And now my soul, ere slumbering, proposes 
The problem: Earth or Heaven, which were best? 

Angels . — Heavenward. 

} 

Chorister .— Day dawned; my spirit bloomed in 
\ new affection; 

And even the sunrise-glory I would quit, 
j To find my chosen star of predilection, 

Where love-ties are indissolubly knit. 

Angels. — Heavenward ! 

This pledge, O gentle chorister, is given ! 

Well dost thou Love as highest prize enroll. 
Earth’s glories are but candle-light in Heaven ; 
Heaven’s glories join Love to extol. 


Chorister. — Heavenward ! 


MANIFESTATION 


43 


On wings of inspiration St. Eugenius rose, en- 
circled by angels, and their ascension could be fol- 
lowed into great heights until the radiance paled, and 
the chapel, slowly resuming its state of incomplete- 
ness, also faded into darkness. 

To one, however, vision was granted to soar with 
St. Eugenius, the transfigured, in growing radiancy 
toward Heaven’s morning-glories. Yea, a glorious 
morn there burst upon him amid the Hosts of Ser- 
aphim and Cherubim, all, like himself, radiant with 
the love of God; and the new-come soul joined in the 
songs of jubilee of the celestial choir in that world 
of love without end. 

“Amen!” murmured the congregation, more than 
moved ; they also were inspired. 

All had become clear to St. Horticus and his wife 
and daughters. Manifestation had heightened their 
faith to bliss, when in the little room with its relig- 
ious furnishings they bent over the lifeless form of 
Eugenius. 

And there the lily of one saint no longer shed its 
light, but brighter radiance was spread by a morn- 
ing-glory of transcendent beauty. “It is,” they said, 
as if with one voice, “a gift from Heaven, whereof 
Eugenius is now a part. Joy! Glory! Hallelujah!” 

The time of their association with Eugenius was 
named by the Miriams “Our Divine Period.” Since 
then they resorted more frequently to the oratory. 
The chapel bearing his name was speedily completed 
in the spirit most pleasing to the Deity, of its ap- 
pearance during that memorable night. His former 
elevation to saintship was known only in Heaven. 


44 EUGENIUS, THE STAR-CHILD ' 

The spiritualization of the painting of Our Lady 
of Mercy was attributed to his attendance on that 
Sunday ; indeed, many tender memories cling around 
the Star-Child St. Eugenius. 

Nor is Heaven his only abode — for when, belated, 
you wander through Under-the-Groves, you may be- 
hold there a hovering star, or a lyre ; yea, no less in 
daytime hear some heavenly notes. But the most 
telling apparition there is prophecy: a cluster of 
stars in the form of a crown, emblem of final victory 
glorious beyond compare. 


REFLECTIONS 

S UCH, then, was the career of a Star-Child, a 
career suggestive of the ideal life which Christ 
might have lived without the supreme sacrifice that 
made him Saviour. There are other Star-Children in 
our world, and as the result of Saints’ prayers there 
will be many a Christmas like the one celebrated in 
these records, many felicities which, withheld from 
Christ on earth, His loving kindness desires to bestow 
upon others. 

Yea, at length there will be only Star-Children on 
earth, and then will earth partake of Heaven. Ver- 
ily, “children shall enter into the Kingdom of 
Heaven.” 

Are you a chorister? Then let song flow forth 


REFLECTIONS 


45 


from the depth of your soul, as for one note of yours 
accepted in an angel-hymn, celestial notes may be re- 
turned and lift the congregation into communion 
with angels. 

Do you take these pages in good faith? Then 
your faith is simple, which means large, promotive. 

Are you a Star-Child? 

If not, may the sweetness of his soul and temper 
enter into your soul and endow you with also his 
temporal blessings. 

Vision fails me. Fare thee well ! 










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